Hilary Halstead Scott Coming to JEM October 26th!

It’s hard to think past graduation day. Leaving the security of a university metals studio can be a scary step. Where will you make? How will you sell work? Entrepreneurship is intimidating.

Hilary Halstead Scott, the President of Halstead, an international jewelry supply wholesaler will be visiting the School of Jewelry and Metal Arts this October. In her talk, Hilary will outline one path to independence as a studio artist, by incorporating lessons from her lifetime in the jewelry industry, an advanced business education, and over a decade or experience coordinating the Halstead Grant competition for emerging artists.

“Coaching new jewelers is one of my favorite things. I cannot think of a better way to give back to our community. Young artists are bubbling over with questions, ideas and worries. The enthusiasm of newly minted makers is contagious and it never fails to reignite my love for the jewelry world.”

She is the second generation to manage the family owned and operated company. Her passion is supporting the small jewelry business community. The Halstead Grant, now in its 11th year, is a prestigious honor awarded annually to an emerging jewelry artist in the United States. The winner receives $7,500 in start-up funding along with $1,000 in jewelry supplies and media recognition in the industry.

Top 10 finalists are also acknowledged with smaller cash prizes. The grant is a development program designed to push new jewelers to think strategically about their business plans. The application includes 14 questions ranging from marketing to financials and capacity. Candidates emerge from the process with specific goals and a better understanding of what it means to run a successful independent jewelry studio. Past winners and finalists often cite the experience as a pivotal step in their entrepreneurial journeys.

Halstead supplies thousands of jewelry businesses worldwide with findings, chain and tools, whose customers run businesses such as ecommerce stores, studio galleries, private label production for mass retail and everything in between. They pride themselves on being a family business and are passionate about supporting the many other small family businesses that comprise the unique industry of metal arts creatives.